Dryer mounting bracket assembly

Abstract

A bracket assembly is provided to allow for vertical mounting of a washer and dryer to form a laundry center. The assembly includes a left and right mounting bracket. The mounting brackets each have a lower mounting flange which joins a lower leg to form a lower angle. The lower angle cooperates with the top edge of the lower appliance. The brackets also have a back rib which forms a second layer angle which cooperates with the back edge of the lower appliance. The brackets also have a top mounting flange which joins an upper leg to form an upper angle which cooperates with the bottom edge of the top appliance and support means extending between the upper and lower mount flanges. An optional removable back plate extends between the mount brackets to give the assembly a unitary appearance.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bracket assembly to provide for vertical mounting of a top appliance having a base and two vertical side surfaces and a bottom appliance having a top horizontal surface and two vertical side surfaces and a vertical back surface, comprising two mounting brackets each having: a lower flange having a bottom side which defines a lower mounting surface to engage the top horizontal surface of the bottom appliance;   a lower leg extending integrally downward from the lower flange and forming a lower inside face to engage the adjacent side surface of the bottom appliance, said lower inside face being substantially perpendicular to said lower mounting surface and joining the lower mounting surface to form a lower horizontal angle;   a back rib extending integrally downward from the lower flange and forming a back inside face to engage the vertical back surface of the bottom appliance, said back inside face being substantially perpendicular to the lower inside face of the leg and joining said lower inside face to form a lower vertical angle;   an upper flange having a top side which defines an upper mounting surface to engage the base of the top appliance;   an upper leg extending integrally upward from the upper flange and having an inside face to engage the adjacent vertical side surface of the top appliance, said upper face being substantially perpendicular to said upper mounting surface and joining the upper mounting surface to form an upper horizontal angle; and   supporting means joining the upper flange to the lower flange in a spaced parallel relationship and being capable of supporting the top appliance.   
     
     
       2. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a bracket wall extending between the upper flange and the lower flange. 
     
     
       3. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said upper leg and said lower leg form a continuous extension of the bracket wall. 
     
     
       4. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper flange projects beyond said lower flange. 
     
     
       5. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said supporting means comprise a front vehicle portion which intersects said lower flange and which flows into a front buttress joining said upper flange, and a rear vertical portion which extends upwardly from said back rib and intersects said lower flange and which flows into a rear buttress member which joins said upper flange. 
     
     
       6. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a removable plate which cooperates with both mounting brackets. 
     
     
       7. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said mounting brackets includes an intermediate rib which extends between said lower flange and said upper flange to support said plate. 
     
     
       8. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lower mounting surface includes means to protect the appliance top surface from scratches. 
     
     
       9. The bracket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means to protect the appliance surface comprises a pad having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to join the pad to the lower mounting surface. 
     
     
       10. A combined washer and dryer unit comprising: a lower appliance having front, back, and side walls joined to a top surface;   an upper appliance having front, back and side walls joined to a base;   a right and left mounting bracket each having a lower flange having a bottom side defining a lower mounting surface which engages the top surface of the lower appliance;   a lower leg extending integrally downward from the lower mounting surface and having an inside face engaging an adjacent side wall of said lower appliance;   a back rib perpendicular to the lower leg and the lower mounting surface and extending integrally downward from the lower mounting surface, and engaging the back wall of the lower appliance;   an upper flange having a top side defining an upper mounting surface which engages the base of the upper appliance;   an upper leg joining the upper flange and extending integrally upward from the upper mounting surface, the upper leg having an inside face which engages an adjacent side wall of the upper appliance;   supporting means joining the upper flange to the lower flange in a spaced parallel relationship and being capable of supporting the top appliance.   
     
     
       11. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said supporting means includes a bracket wall extending between the upper flange and the lower flange. 
     
     
       12. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein said upper leg and said lower leg form a continuous extension of the bracket wall. 
     
     
       13. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the lower appliance includes a bifold door covering an opening in the top surface and the plane of the front wall of the upper appliance is spaced back from the plane of the front wall of the lower appliance to provide for accessibility of the bifold door opening. 
     
     
       14. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 13, wherein the plane of the front wall of the upper appliance can be spaced at different distances from the plane of the front wall of the lower appliance. 
     
     
       15. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said supporting means comprise a front vertical portion which intersects said lower flange and which flows into a front buttress which joins said upper flange, and a rear vertical portion which extends from said back rib and intersects said lower flange and which flows into a rear buttress member which joins said upper flange. 
     
     
       16. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a plate which cooperates with both mounting brackets. 
     
     
       17. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein said plate is removable. 
     
     
       18. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein each of said mounting brackets includes an intermediate rib which extends between the upper flange and said second flange and said plate is secured to said intermediate rib. 
     
     
       19. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said lower mounting surface includes means to protect the lower appliance surface from scratches. 
     
     
       20. The combined washer and dryer unit as set forth in claim 19, wherein said means to protect the appliance surface comprises a pad having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to join the pad to the lower mounting surface.